Biggest Bogyoke statue to be unveiled Saturday

Myanmar's biggest Bogyoke statue will be unveiled at Mandalar Tagun Park in Mandalay on Saturday, according to U Min Htet Nyein Chan, a member of the Bogyoke Aung San Centenary Statue and Square organising team.

The 13-foot-high statue was paraded through the city last weekend. Than Naing Soe / The Myanmar Times

“It was expected to be unveiled on the birthday of the State Counsellor, but there was concern that leaders might be busy that day, so the date of the ceremony was pushed up two days earlier. All State leaders have been invited to the unveiling,” he said.

The opening ceremony, which will be held from Saturday through June 20, will include events like pillow fighting and greased-pole climbing competitions.

U Min Htet Nyein Chan said there will also be literature discussions, a book fair, music by a Myoma band and a performance by a Pwe Taing Kyaw troupe.

The Bogyoke brass statue was cast in commemoration of General Aung San, the father of the nation, who played a vital part during the independence struggle of 1947.

Using 1800 viss (2880 kilograms) of brass, she began work on the statue on January 1 and completed it on June 8.

The 13-foot-high statue was paraded through the city last weekend before reaching its destination, Mandalar Tagun Park in Pyigyitagun township, at 8pm on Sunday.

“When photos taken during the first day of the parade were posted online, some criticised the statute, saying the face didn’t resemble Bogyoke,” U Min Htet Nyein Chan said, adding, “This was because of the reflection from the brass and the wrong camera angle. We invite everyone to come see for themselves. Only then will you know whether it resembles Bogyoke.”

The statue was made at a cost of more than K300 million by the organising team, which formed in 2015.